Now that everyone’s back to school, it’s time to start
thinking about pumpkin day! My family has always gone big for Halloween and we
are all pretty excited that October 31st falls on a Saturday this
year. This means we are afforded the time for more fun! I know that some
families go all out with the haunted theme and that’s great for them but that’s
not really our style. We are more harvest celebration based around here with pumpkins,
corn stalks and LOTS OF HAY!
However you choose to decorate, I do hope that you plan for
some extra special party time with friends and family this Halloween. If you are
looking for a few ideas to help you get started, try a few of these out…
Plan a Block Party
Many cities help block off actual streets for neighborhood
celebrations. Contact your local City Hall or Police Station to get started.
Whether you block off a street or not, many neighbors have fun planning special
festivities together. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. A potluck table, lawn
chairs and glow sticks may be all you need.
I recommend having the following…
- ·
extra flashlights
- ·
a designated babysitter or adult to supervise
the trick-or-treating
- ·
glow sticks/necklaces (have too many! That way
they are sure to load up on colorful safety!)
- ·
Seating (lawn chairs, hay bails, etc.)
- ·
A tub of bottled ice water
- ·
Fun music
- ·
Safe zones where kids can play
Host a Chili Cook
Off
This is one of our favs-although I never actually win! What
better way to celebrate the changing of seasons than with some yummy recipes? I
usually have baskets of cornbread, crackers, rolls, cheese and sour cream to go
along with the chili.
You will need…
- ·
a table (be sure it is stable! You don’t want
spills!)
- ·
a power strip w/extension cord(for crock pots)
- ·
slips of paper, pens and a box to cast votes
- ·
spoons, napkins and bowls
- ·
a prize for the winner
Have a Costume
Contest
I have found that many grown ups have to be given a reason
to dress up for Halloween. Having an official costume contest may be all that your
group needs to enhance the fun with creative costumes. Some families may
surprise you and come as an entire theme while others may be giddy just to dig
out that old costume that they’ve saved from high school. Hey, stranger things
have happened!
Things to think of…
- ·
Notice of a costume contest should be given
ahead of time so people have time to plan.
- ·
You may want to include a few guidelines in your
notice (i.e. “nothing too scary”, etc.)
- ·
Establish a voting system, either by cast votes,
applause, etc.
- ·
There should be at least one prize for best
costume.
Host a Warming
Station
Trick-or-treating can be hard work for both young and old
alike. Having a station with a few creature comforts might be just what a
haggard trick-or-treater might need.
You may want to include some of these items…
- ·
Trick-or-treat candy (cuz, why not?!!)
- ·
Bottled water
- ·
Seating (hay bails are always fun)
- ·
A flashlight
- ·
Warm beverages (cider, coffee, etc). To avoid
any safety issues, be sure warm items are handled and tested by adults first.
Don’t forget the cups!
- ·
Baby wipes
- ·
A garbage can
- ·
Extra plastic bags (grocery bags work great)
- ·
Extra glow sticks
Special Activities
Try setting up stations with activities that don’t have to
be too closely monitored.
Here are some ideas…
·
Pumpkin Roll
o
Have lanes where players can race each other by
rolling large pumpkins to the finish line.
·
Stuff a Scarecrow
o
This can be done as a race as well.
o
Set up different stations with a pile of hay, a
shirt, a hat, a cloth bag with twine, and pants.
o
Players can work in teams or on their own to see
who can create a scarecrow the fastest.
·
Pumpkin Seed Shooters
o
Set up jack-o-lanterns on a table/hay bail/etc.
o
Set up stations for shooting about three paces
from each jack-o-lantern (shooting range style). These stations should include
a spoon and a bowl of pumpkin seeds.
o
One digital timer should be available.
o
The person who shoots the most pumpkin seeds
into his/her designated jack-o-lantern within an allotted time (ex.15 seconds)
wins!
·
Hay Pile
o
Quite possibly one of the easiest activities
that is fun for a variety of ages!
o
Place a tarp on the grass.
o
Cover the tarp with hay.
o
As an option, you can hide small toys, money,
etc. in the hay-just be careful that none of these items end up in the mouths
of small children.
Over the Top
Activities
Perhaps you are that overachiever who is looking for that
little extra something to put your celebration over the top. Well, if you feel
so inclined, here are some ideas for you…
·
Hire bounce houses
o
Many companies have themed bounce houses and are
happy to set them up for your special event.
o
I recommend having a parent there to supervise
along with setting some boundaries for safety.
·
Give hay rides
o
Hire/rent/borrow a trailer and a vehicle to tow
it with.
o
Place hay bails in the trailer. I recommend
setting the bails in the center of the trailer so that no one can fall out.
o
Plan a safe route to take your passengers on a
fun “Halloween Hay Ride!”
o
I recommend that you require all child
passengers be accompanied by an adult and that you keep the vehicle turned off
when loading/unloading passengers.
·
Have a monster mash
o
Like a cake walk-only to the oldie-but-goodie
song that matches the theme!
o
Place different pictures of monsters in a
circle. Monster pictures should be at least 12”X12” in size. (You decide the
level of scariness).
o
The participants will walk from one picture to
the next as the music plays.
o
Have a designated person there to start/stop
music and draw a card for the winners. When the music stops, a card with a
picture on it is pulled.
o
The person standing on the picture that matches
the picture on the card-wins!
o
This can be repeated for as many cakes/treats/prizes
you have available.
o
I recommend having non-food prizes available for
those with food allergies/dietary restrictions.
·
Have a zombie run (For those not too turned off
by all things haunted)
o
This is a good game for older kids.
o
Participants are placed into teams. One team is
given a pumpkin and then each player on the team is given two flags each. This
is the human team.
o
The group without the flags is the designated
“zombie” team. They can even be given green t-shirts or sashes to distinguish
the two groups better.
o
Mark one end of the field with a “safe zone”
(like an end zone) and designate a starting point for both teams.
o
The goal of the human (non-zombie) team is to
use all means possible to carry the pumpkin into the “safe zone” without
letting a zombie take one of their flags. If a flag is taken, the play starts
over. If a player loses both flags, that player is out.
o
Teams are switched once the human team scores 5
points.
While the above is not an exhaustive list
of possible Halloween activities, I do hope that it inspires you to brainstorm
your own festivities and fun! So get out there and plan something great! It
takes those special people who are willing to do a little extra planning that
add to our sense of community.
AND
REMEMBER: SAFETY FIRST!!
